Are you so excited?? I'm so excited. There's a special fervor in the mission during Easter time. I remember it last year and I'm feeling it now. And not only do we get Easter, but General Conference this weekend!!!
So many amazing things happened this week, and I'm behind in my journal. Ahh! At least I get to spill out a weekly account to you! :) Ready for this week's adventures?
Wednesday we took the drive down to Providence and stayed with Sister Bastchi and Sister Vaai again! They're so great. We got up early and from there, drove to the Warwick chapel and set up all of our displays for a church tour! Only this one was particularly special. A couple of months ago, a homeschooling group of mothers called and asked if they could have a tour of the building and a basic explanation of our beliefs. How amazing is that? I'm so glad the Warwick Ward reached out to us; that's exactly what we're all about! :) A bunch of members came to clean, provide refreshments and support us, four Elders were there, everyone was so excited, and the group came! Sister Couto and I led a very large tour group through the whole building, hitting each of our stations. It was amazing. Probably one of the best PVC experiences I've had. The group had great questions, they loved the videos, members and missionaries equally testified, they felt the spirit, and we covered so much doctrine. They understood the significance of the Restoration, and I think their favorite station was our display on the temple. They literally just sat there with a million questions, wanting to watch every video we had. It was so moving. I am grateful that the Spirit put words in my mouth and gave me confidence to answer questions and testify.
After that incredible experience, Sister Couto and I went on splits with Sister Bastchi and Sister Vaai! Teaching in a home, like normal missionaries do!!! :) :) Sister Vaai and I went out. Both of our appointments cancelled, but somehow we ended up teaching in homes anyway. It was so fun. I brought along an iPad so we could show some amazing videos, and without any planning, Sister Vaai and I taught the Restoration and left with a new investigator! So amazing!
The next day was the Stake Easter Fireside at the Warwick chapel! :) Missionary Easter Fireside. Only missionaries spoke and performed, and we put everything together. It was perfect. We didn't have to touch the displays. We just left them up, and made sure our videos that were supposed to play in the background of some songs were working. Elder Nelson stuck me in charge of the lights last second, too.
Oh my goodness, I wish everyone could have seen that Fireside. It was so powerful. We have some talented missionaries. One of the songs, "Gloria" from The Lamb of God, was earth-shaking! Hence the subject line. :) I felt the Spirit testify of the divinity of my Savior so many times, I felt so much love for people I barely knew, and when President Packard stood and sang, I broke down into tears. I love the gospel. I'm so grateful that we celebrate Easter--it's a sacred time.
One more night with the Sisters in Warwick, then we were off to Springfield, Massachusetts! We only stayed there for a birthday party. Quite a few non-members were there, though, and everyone was fascinated with the display by their gym door. :D I seized the opportunity to finish a project we've been working on. It's a brochure for new members -- a step-by-step guide for them to follow as they continue to claim all of the blessings the Lord has in store for them! :) It was so fun to design! I'll send you the finished product. Probably next week, because President Haight is going to review and fix it!
Last night we attended one more Easter Fireside, but this one was a lot smaller. It was for the Littleton ward, and they had this cute idea of songs from a variety of people who had seen the Savior. Jarius's daughter, Mary Magdalene, Joseph Smith, a woman in the Americas. It was a wonderful presentation!
Well, that's about all! Hope you have a great week! Hope you receive many answers to your prayers and a spiritual upliftment this General Conference!
This transfer has been FLYING. I thought the last one went by fast. . . but transfers are in 2 weeks. I thought for sure we just had transfer meeting.
This week we got a lot of things done in the office! It has been super fun. I wish I could adequately explain what we do! Sister Couto and I have a system going. She's on the laptop, cutting and adding to videos, putting in Spanish/Portuguese audio and fixing the background music. I'm on the iPad, figuring out the configurations, downloading all of the videos into the right button on the right exhibit, organizing, deleting, adding and arranging videos. The Visitors' Center app is looking beautiful! We have some of the greatest videos on there. We're really prepped for some great events!
Speaking of great events, we had a unique one this week! We took the drive to Billerica for a "U-night". The missionaries got the idea from the book The Power of Everyday Missionaries by our very own Clayton Christensen. The concept is that the Bishop calls "Proselyting Families" to bring a family to the "U-night". There these people hear testimonies of the restored gospel from a return missionary, a recent convert, and the bishop. At the end, they're invited to take the lessons. Billerica was so excited for this idea that they scheduled four of them, and called for the Portable Visitors' Center to come and be the main event! Since it was just the first time, investigators and less-actives came, and we tested it out. It was so beautiful and powerful. They showed some of our strongest videos throughout the program, broken up by the different testimonies. Sister Couto and I were asked to talk to them as well. We stood and testified of the Book of Mormon answering specific questions of your heart. It doesn't matter what question it is, universal or personal, you can find an answer as you read the Book of Mormon. It was a neat experience to stand and teach and testify and back up the words of the prophets that spoke in the videos.
Another adventure: We were so double-booked on Saturday, so for the first time ever, Sister Couto and I went on splits to travel to two events! Our friends and Sister Training Leaders, Sister Francis and Sister Asay, happily came with us. Sister Francis and Sister Couto took the Spaceship and drove down to Central Falls. I know, I know, but it was for a tour with the Spanish branch, and since I still don't speak Spanish. . . Sister Asay and I were to go to Nashua, New Hampsire!
First, that morning, we attended an 8-year-old baptism in Weston with one of the displays! That was neat, because I remember and love that family. Weston 1st ward goes all out for baptisms. You should have seen the food tables after--I thought I was at a wedding. Then we were supposed to load the Party Bus (the name of the other, if smaller van in the mission) but when I jumped in the driver's seat, I realized that the left mirror was missing and that the tire pressure was low. No bueno. After a quick moment of panic, Sister Asay had a great idea, and we frantically switched vehicles with the moving Elders and jammed all of our equipment into their truck! Whew!
New Hampsire! I'd never been there before! It looks like the rest of New England, but it's colder. :) They had a fabulous event planned with a lot of non-members in attendance. "Culture Night", where families with different backgrounds all brought dishes from their homeland. So there was a feast and performances and fun stuff. We set up our two displays and the Book of Mormon roundtable, since the rest of the equipment was with our companions. It went well, except half-way through a kid somehow turned off one of the iPads and tried the password a million times. That locked us out for an hour. :P
But all in all, it was a success, and I had so much fun getting to know Sister Asay! She's the greatest. :)
Yesterday I went to the most beautiful 8-year-old baptism I've ever seen. This girl is special. She's from the Cambridge Spanish Ward, and she was so moved by the Spirit and the significance of the covenant that she was making and the support she had that she was in tears the entire time. She even stood up and bore her testimony. I have never seen Sister Couto cry so much!
That's my life in New England. I'm so grateful for the rich opportunities my Father in Heaven has blessed me with. And I'm grateful for all of you, and the support you give me!
Ready for another week-of-adventures report?? :) I love the mission! I witness so many miracles every single day.
This week I had the longest streak away from our apartment. We spent five days in Connecticut.Five days with four roommates (English and Spanish Sisters) in a teeny little apartment. At least we love each other! :D So Thursday we took off for Trumbull, Connecticut. That's the farthest drive we have in the mission. If you remember, not too long ago we went there to train the youth on how to give tours!
We got there and set up the whole shebang. The Trumbull Chapel looked fantastic with all eight of our displays around the building. That night was a big scout night. For some reason I was expecting the PVC to be a pretty backdrop for their event, but it was incredibly successful! Scouts and their parents accepted our invitation to tour the building and watch the videos! We gave a lot of tours. It's incredible to give tours and to testify of the truths in the videos. I was so happy!
We kept the displays up for the scheduled Open House the next day. The Trumbull Elders and Sisters had talked it up so much and invited everyone under the sun! Again, I was worried, because we've seen really slow open houses when there isn't much foot traffic in the area, but these missionaries had worked so hard, and their efforts paid off. Investigators, less-actives, non-members and members alike came through for the entire four hour block. We were so busy! Allof the missionaries were giving tours! It was incredible. I wish I could take each of you through on a tour so that you'd understand what it's like!
We took all of the displays down that night and re-packed the Spaceship. After another night in that teeny apartment, and then we got up extra early for a detour! See, we had promised Ashford we'd get over to their chapel for a baptism. So we drove another 3 hour round trip to bring 2 displays to the event. It was a beautiful baptism. We don't go to many 8-year-old baptisms, but it was fun. The girl was so sweet. The mother had specific Mormon Messages she wanted us to play while her daughter was getting dressed, so we quickly downloaded them, and of COURSE had some more opposition and technical difficulties during our air time. Sheesh. But it worked out.
We drove back to the New Haven stake, but to their stake center to set up for Stake Conference! We had underestimated how long it would take, so we frantically ran around, trying to get everything set up in time. I tell you, I'm getting really good at speed set-up. :) We finally figured everything out, and even sang in the choir for Saturday night stake conference!
Sunday stake conference! Everything seemed to go wrong! None of our electronics were working. I don't know how we made it through the day. It was truly a series of tender mercies. We were so tired, but somehow all of our tours were successful, and everything seemed to work last second. We even talked to a bunch of Bishops and Stake Presidents who want to book us directly now!
Stayed through another Restoration Fireside. I'll never get tired of that. :) But I was getting sick and so exhausted, so by the end of the night I was dreading taking everything down and loading it. Thankfully, tons of wonderful missionaries rushed to our aid, and we were packed and back at the sisters' apartment in no time!
We drove home today. Which took out a bunch of time for our P-day, which is why I'm emailing you so late. We got to extend our P-day time. But I have to book it now!!! Wish I could have given you more details!
This week was so incredible! We had a lot of neat opportunities and we felt the Spirit so strongly. I love love love being a missionary. I am so blessed to be here in the MBM!
Let me start with our trip to Trumbull, Connecticut. It's the farthest drive we have in the mission from our home. 2 1/2 hours. They asked us to come out to train their youth at a mutual on how to give tours and get them to participate in the Church Tour they have coming up. We packed up our entire set-up and took the drive out! Haha, we ran out of things to talk about, so Sister Couto is now teaching me Portuguese on the drives. With road trips like this, I'll be fluent before I come home. :D
It was an incredible experience! We set up everything we have, and then about 20 youth showed up for our training! The Elders in the area helped us out a ton, but we played a game to get them excited, then we took them on a tour. I was worried we wouldn't be enough fun for them, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. They really got thinking about their friends that could benefit from these videos, and they paid extra-close attention because they knew that they'd be giving the tours themselves in a couple of weeks! :) And at the end, we had a discussion to combat their fears of sharing the gospel and issued a challenge with the Elders. Boys vs. girls competition! Everyone got a stack of invitations. 1 point for every rejection, 2 points for every maybe, 3 points for every yes, and an additional 5 points if they actually show up for a tour! Winners get a special treat provided by the missionaries. They were so pumped! Nothing like a competition to motivate the youth!
We spent the night with the Trumbull/Trumbull SP Sisters. 6 of us in that little apartment! And we're planning on staying there for four days this coming week! It'll be fun! I love love meeting all of the missionaries in the mission. I make new, amazing friends wherever I go. These missionaries are all stellar, hardworking, fun, obedient missionaries. Anyway, we got stuck there for awhile in the morning because of another snow storm, but we finally made it home!
We had Zone Conference this week! It was amazing, as usual. I can't even begin to describe it. The entire mission presidency was able to make it. President Packard, whom I love so dearly, President Clayton Christensen, who is the single most brilliant business man in the world (so the studies say) and is very ill, and President Haight, who is filled with so much charity and who made a covenant with the Lord to share the gospel with someone every day for the rest of his life. The three most inspired men that I know personally. All of them spoke to my heart, answered questions I've been searching for answers to, and inspired me to consecrate myself more completely.
After Zone Conference, the Algers (replacement for the Vails) took us to the Cheesecake Factory! Um, I'm spoiled. They're the sweetest! I'm grateful that they work with us in the office now!
Saturday we took another drive. 1 1/2 hours to get to Ludlow, MA. Elder Terry serves there! Good to see an old friend again (I've been around in the mission AWHILE. . . ) and his companion is great, too! It was the first time they've ever had the PVC, and we came for a baptism. This sweet, 85 year old woman entered the baptism. Isn't that amazing? I love how people can be so open to the gospel even in their old age. It was a beautiful baptism, and there were quite a few non-members there--her family that came to support her. I hope the videos we shared touched them.
Yesterday was one of the sweetest days in my mission. :) Guess where I went? My favorite-est place ever. Central Falls, Rhode Island! We went to Central Falls to do a training for the Spanish Ward on how to make their chapel tour effective. So we went early so I could go to my favorite ward and see people! It was amazing. I gave so many hugs and got tackled by kids and nearly cried so many times! I love the Lorencos, the Whites, the Rhodericks, the Tanners, Sister Gaboriault, Lovely, everyone!!!! It completely made my day!
Our training went pretty well. It was a little rough, because the translation slowed everything down, but I think they're excited to invite their friends to a chapel tour. And after that, we scrambled over to Sister Shea's home! How I've missed her! She's my Rhode Island mom. She fed us a wonderful dinner and caught me up on Rhode Island life. And then she spoiled us with a bunch of little presents. :) She's so motherly and funny and wonderful, and I was so happy.
We stopped by one more home before we traveled back. Sister Barnwell and CC! And the rest of the family. :) The first two weren't able to make it to church today. CC's been really sick again. But I hammered on the door, and there were so many screams and hugs!!! :') We had a wonderful catch-up. It's amazing to me how the Spirit is there for reunions, too. Especially with people you've had spiritual experiences with. I reminded CC that I'm still holding out on President Haight's blessing, where she was promised she'd be healed within a year. I can't wait. They are so strong.
That's my crazy, amazing life! I am so grateful for your support and love! I gotta run, but remember that you're all in my prayers!
Oh, one more thing. I'm hitting my year mark this week. It's amazing. I've grown so much, changed so much, but I still have eons to go. I want you to all know that the gospel is true. My mission has changed not only my life, but me, in ways I can't even comprehend or try to explain to you.
I am so so so excited! :) The snow is melting, we have big plans, we have great ideas, and the Lord has a work for us to do!
We were able to sit down and have a great talk with President this week! :) That was the best. I think President Packard is the busiest man I've ever met. But he found the time to sit down with us and and map out all of our joint ideas and plans and priorities for the Portable Visitors' Center. It was exactly what we needed. I know have a full-to-bursting to-do list that I can't wait to tackle! We're dreaming big here! I'll report on what we're doing with our office time when we really get going in these next few weeks. We ran around like crazy this week though, so we really haven't had time to get started.
Tuesday was crazy! This is transfer week, and not only do we live close to the Packards, but we drive a Spaceship, so they needed our help. :) Thirteen new missionaries came flying in from the MTCs! Five of them were sisters. We were the lucky ones who got to cook their meals, welcome them into the mission, and then take them home with us for their first night in the MBM. It was so much fun! Five sisters in our tiny little apartment! Haha. We were supposed to have enough air mattresses, but two of them ended up having holes in them, so one sister took the couch and another took my bed. There wasn't much room, so. . . I took the closet. Hahaha! It was really neat to be in the mission home for the chaos of transfers. I love new missionaries. They are so humble and so excited and so nervous and full of energy! It makes everyone else so excited for the work of salvation, too! :)
Wednesday night was the big transfer meeting. We set up all of our displays for those who came with investigators or less-actives, and then we got to hear the testimonies of those missionaries going home. We lost thirty missionaries this transfer. Thirty. :( Breaks my heart. But not really. They're on to the next, beautiful phase of their life. It's bittersweet. Some more of my good mission friends went home. Sister Hyoung, Sister Neilson, Elder Fish, Elder Spencer the Vails. . . Strange sitting in transfer meeting without anticipating a new companion. . .
We had another adventurous weekend! First, we went back down to Providence for another church tour. It was less scary this time. The streets are still piled high with snow, but more along the sidewalks than anything else. We had a bunch of help setting up, everyone was so excited, and then I had the opportunity to hit the streets and do some personal contacting again!!! That is so fun!!!!! Especially in a busy city like Providence. Sister Batschi (amazing Sister recently transferred into Providence) is a stellar personal contact-er! :D She broke me out of my comfort zone really fast, and we talked to everyone, inviting them in for a tour of the building and refreshments. :) We met so many different people. Sweet old ladies, young rebels, lost teenagers, a deaf man I was able to sign to, a man at a soup kitchen, posh people who were "all-set", busy people who we think would really have been interested, and more! I love talking to people. Even getting rejected. It's when I feel the most like a missionary, taking advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel. :)
So that was fun! We spent the night with Sister Batschi and Sister Malolo Vaai. They live in an old factory. :D So fun. Then the next morning we took the drive back to Cape Cod!
Being on the Cape is the best. It's beautiful and touristy. The Cape Cod branch is so awesome. We set up all of our displays and prepped for the tour--and so many members came to help! So many! Usually getting the ward/leader support is the hardest part, and we rely on the missionaries to make the tours run. Which is not ideal at all. So it was amazing when everyone came, everyone was willing to help, and everyone was excited to share the gospel. The unfortunate part was that no one came. :D Haha, okay, it shouldn't be funny, but we were so ready for visitors, and no one showed up! There was even a recently returned missionary who knocked on a couple of doors for us. Sister Couto and I didn't want to leave Cape Cod with the Branch disappointed and feeling like they failed, so we came up with an idea. We asked the branch president if we could stay, leave the displays up through church on Sunday, and do a training/presentation about the Portable Visitors' Center to the branch to get them excited and to discuss how we could make the event more successful next time. He happily agreed--in fact, he handed over Branch Council to us for training. How neat is that??
It was an amazing day at church! This branch is brimming with potential! We presented toe PVC to Branch Council and discussed with them great ways to get lots of visitors for future events. They had so many ideas and were so excited! In fact, they pulled up our calendar and are going to book us a ton soon! We spent an hour just sitting down with the Primary President, and she is on fire with ideas! (One of the projects President wants us to work on is doing PVC events specifically for kids--fun videos and activities and stations and songs and such!) We're so excited to work with her! And then finally, the Relief Society President used our Restoration display to teach her entire Relief Society lesson, focusing on ways we can share the gospel. So I think it was a tender mercy that no one showed up the first time. It really motivated them, and now we have incredible things ahead of us!
Last thing to talk about: We had another Restoration fireside to attend! President Packard spoke again, this time in the Boston West stake, our home ward! Oh man. I wish everyone in the world had the opportunity to hear that. It's amazing. We had about 150 people show up, many of them visitors. They browsed all of the displays we set up and loved the program! Dallyn Bayles, who is in the Weston 2nd Ward and is a famous Broadway singer, was supposed to do the music, but ended up having to cancel. President found the greatest replacements. Elder Stones, a good friend of ours and one of President's assistants, sang Make Me Whole from the Lamb of God, and President Packard sang Savior, Redeemer of My Soul with his daughter Natalie. It was amazing. They are sooooooo talented!
Wow, I wrote a lot this week! Sorry if I bored you with all of the details! Just know that I love this great work, and I'm excited to pour more of my heart and energy into it! My prayers are with you! I love you all!
